ARMISTICE DAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23215, 8 December 1938, Page 12

ARMISTICE DAY

iLONDON CENOTAPH f PERIOD OF SILENCE SCENES IN WHITEHALL ; KING PLACES A WREATH ;; £fbom OUR OWN correspondent] LONDON, Nov. 14 "Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag, " and smile, smile, smile," was one of the marches played by the massed band of the Guards at the Cenotaph on November 11 (Armistice Day), after the two minutes' silence. The great crowd took up the refrain, hummed it and sang it quietly, as the men of the British Legion, medals i bobbing on their breasts, poppies nodding in their lapels, their eyes screwed I up against the rays of the sun, bald heads shining in the bright light, swung past tho memorial in columns of fours. a detachment of women marched by, many wearing rows of medals won by husbands and sons killed over 20 years ago, there was a prolonged outburst of clapping. People filled the entire length of Whitehall, and sang: "Oh God, our Help in Ages Past," and the National 'Anthem. A guardsman collapsed just before the guns announced the end of the silent homage, but he was quickly attended to by St. John Ambulance men, and few people noticed tho subdued scuffle. The sceno was exactly the same as in past years, except that where once King George V. and his four sons led the nation's homage, only two Royal brothers were present this year, King George VI. and the Duke of Kent. Long Salute by the King The warm sunshine and blue sky eviSently gave a lighter feeling of heart than usual to a section of the crowd, who, earlier in the week, had cheered tho King apd Queen on their way to the House of Lords to open Parliament, and who had "hoorayed" for the Lord Mayor as his "show" preceded him round the city streets. They clapped when the Qugen, Queen Mary, and other members of the Royal Family appeared on the balcony of the Home .Office. Fifteen minutes before the 6ilence fccarlet and gold-coated choirboys white■urpliced choirboys and men, preceded the Bishop of London in procession. Five minutes later the members of the British Cabinet, led by Mr. Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister, also appeared from the Home Office, blackcoated, carrying silk hats and rolled lumbrellas. Mr. Chamberlain held a Wreath and no umbrella, and Mr. i Malcolm MacDonaid and the Marquis of Zetland also carried wreaths. They .were followed by the Dominion High Commissioners, including Mr. Jordan, 1 also wreath , and silk hat bearing. Three minutes later there was another loud murmuring among the crowd. The King, followed by the Duke of Kent, both in admiral's uniform, followed by. representatives of the Army. English, Scottish and Welsh .walked slowly out into Whitehall. Seven minutes before the silence the King laid his wreath at the foot of the beflagge'd, gleaming memorial. Stepping back, he gave a long salute, his white-gloved hand fixed at the peak of his gold-braided cap. Dominions' Wreaths Laid Three wreaths were laid by the Army Representatives, and as the bands began (the "Dead March" Mr. Chamberlain left his position, bowed to the Cenotaph and deposited his poppies. Next came Mr. MacDonaid, making two ,visits, one for the Dominions, one for ,the colonies, and then the Marquis of Zetland. First of the Dominion representatives was the Canadian High Commissioner. He was followed by (Australia. Then Mr. Jordan laid New Zealand's wreath. When the last of the wreaths had fceen laid the first notes of Big Ben eounded the chimes preceding the hour. Hoarse voices called troops to attenition, and the echo of the big bell at Westminster boomed and gained in yolume as the noise of the city gradually stilled The silence concluded, hymn and prayer followed the Last Post, then came the blessing by the bishop, the ißeveille and the National Anthem. As the last«note died away the King paused for a few moments, gazing at the Cenotaph. Then he turned and Blowly re-entered the Home Office. Five minutes later Cabinet Ministers, High Commissioners, clergy, generalß, admirals, choir were gone, the bands .were playing "Tipperary" and a group of the British Legion, tramped in single file to the Cenotaph, scarlet |)Oj)pies nodding in the wreaths they Loug after ex-soldiers, Guards, sailors, airmen and territorials had marched away with their bands people streamed in queues to lay wreaths at tho crimson-based Cenotaph, and during mid-afternoon police were still standing by the long line of men and women paying their respects to the dead.